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Interview: S.American bloc UNASUR expects APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to help regional integration

Xinhua, November 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

The 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Peru would help the integration process in Latin America, as well as the broader integration across the Asia-Pacific, said Ernesto Samper, secretary-general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

In an interview with Xinhua, Samper said, "we hope that the results to be produced can be shared across the region."

The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held on Nov. 19-20 in Peru.

Samper, who is also the former president of Colombia (1994-1998), said that UNASUR would carefully analyze the success of the APEC meeting. "We see the organization of this meeting very positively, especially in Peru, which has in some way become the capital of the Latin American Pacific."

For Samper, the integration of Latin America coincides with the goal to bring together economies across the Asia-Pacific.

"UNASUR has already discussed the possibility of a broader political and economic integration in the region," he pointed out, adding that the bloc supports initiatives which promote cooperation and commercial alliances around the world.

"China is a crucial player in the region today," he explained, saying that the direct commercial aid and investments from China have poured into the regional economy.

The Chinese market has increased its capacity to consume products from Latin America, said Samper about the commercial integration between both sides.

He added that the Asia-Pacific region has become a must for countries seeking to strengthen economic and trade ties.

"We see the Pacific as an area of opportunity for all the countries of South America," he said.

"China is, without doubt, one of the most important partners in the region, not only because of foreign investment but also for international cooperation," said the former president.

"China does not act only out of its own interests, but of friendship and solidarity," he said.

"For us, China is a big brother of countries in the South. We want to see it as a good brother, a trusted partner," he noted. Endi